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Matthew, the man. Know very little “Gift of God Son of Alphaeus Galilean Jew Became a Tax-collector. Matthew, the tax-collector. Israel under Rome Roman taxation system Two primary taxes
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Matthew, the man • Know very little • “Gift of God • Son of Alphaeus • Galilean Jew • Became a Tax-collector
Matthew, the tax-collector • Israel under Rome • Roman taxation system • Two primary taxes • Roman Gov’t sold the rights to collect taxes • Profits gained by taxing more than they should • Tax-collectors were viewed as “the worst”
Matthew, the tax-collector • Hated & Despised • Extortionist & Traitor • Harsh interactions with fellow Jews • Wealthy • Kicked out
Matthew, the disciple • Called by Jesus • Matt 9:9-13 • 1 of 12 Apostles • Matt 10:3 • At Pentecost • Acts 1:13 • His Character – “Matthew, the tax-collector” • Cost him everything (Lk 19:2 vs 5:28)
Matthew-Internal Evidence • Most references to coins • Ability to write & keep records • Avoided references to tax-collectors • Downplays his own actions • 53 quotes from the OT
Matthew-External Evidence • Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch (a.d. 98-117) • Papias (c. 60-130) quoted by Eusebius (c. 260-340); Iranaeus (c. 130-200), & Origen (c. 185-254) • “Among the four gospels, which are the only indisputable ones in the Church of God under heaven, I have learned by tradition that the first was written by Matthew, who was once a publican, but afterwards an apostle of Jesus Christ, and it was prepared for the converts from Judaism” (Ecclesiastical History,6:25). Eusebius